History

History is taught within the Humanities Department at Concord. It is offered to all years. Three enthusiastic teachers and careful choice of content give the students the opportunity to develop high-level skills and gain understanding of a broad range of history. The subject is taken by most students in Form 3 (Year 9) dependent upon their level of English. The course studies worldwide changes since 1900 with particular regard to technology, war and identities. This topic based approach allows coverage of a considerable time period, and the development of foundation subject skills.

In Forms 4-5 (Years 10-11) the Cambridge IGCSE History syllabus looks at some of the major international issues of the twentieth century, as well as covering the history of particular regions in more depth. The emphasis is on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research. Learners develop an understanding of the nature of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference and find out how to use and understand historical evidence as part of their studies.

In the Sixth Form History students study for the AQA A Level examination by studying two units, USA 1865-1975 and Britain 1951-2007. Students sit the AS level examination at the end of year 6.1 and then most students go on to study those units further in year 6.2 (Year 13) with the addition of an extensive research coursework unit on aspects of Russian History (1800-1917) in order to gain the full A-level. Subject content in History is further enriched by visiting speakers, educational visits and a library of audio-visual material.